Lesson Plan
My Calm Corner Toolkit
Students will identify and practice at least two calming strategies to use when experiencing big emotions, fostering early self-regulation skills.
Learning to manage big emotions is a crucial life skill. This lesson provides young students with practical tools to calm themselves, building a foundation for emotional intelligence and independence.
Audience
Pre-K to 2nd Grade Students
Time
45 minutes
Approach
Interactive discussion, guided practice, and creative project.
Materials
Whiteboard or projector, Calm Corner Toolkit Slide Deck, Calming Strategies Activity Cards, My Calm Corner Project Guide, Construction paper, Crayons/Markers, Scissors, and Glue sticks
Prep
Prepare Materials
15 minutes
- Review the Calm Corner Toolkit Slide Deck and ensure all slides are ready for presentation.
- Print and cut out the Calming Strategies Activity Cards.
- Gather construction paper, crayons/markers, scissors, and glue sticks for the project.
- Review the My Calm Corner Project Guide.
Step 1
Introduction: What Are Big Emotions?
10 minutes
- Begin by asking students what 'big emotions' feel like (e.g., mad, sad, worried).
- Use the Calm Corner Toolkit Slide Deck to introduce the concept of a 'Calm Corner' and why it's helpful.
- Discuss that everyone has big emotions, and it's okay to feel them, but we need ways to manage them.
Step 2
Exploring Calming Strategies
15 minutes
- Present various calming strategies using the Calm Corner Toolkit Slide Deck. Examples: deep breaths, counting, drawing, hugging a stuffed animal.
- Engage students in a brief practice of 2-3 strategies. (e.g., 'Let's all take three deep dragon breaths!').
- Introduce the Calming Strategies Activity Cards and have students identify which strategies they like best.
Step 3
My Calm Corner Project
15 minutes
- Explain the 'My Calm Corner' project using the My Calm Corner Project Guide.
- Students will create their own small 'calm corner toolkit' by drawing or gluing pictures of their favorite calming strategies onto a piece of construction paper.
- Circulate and assist students, encouraging them to think about where they might use these strategies (e.g., at home, in the classroom).
Step 4
Share and Reflect
5 minutes
- Invite a few students to share their 'Calm Corner Toolkit' and one strategy they plan to use.
- Reiterate that having tools to calm down helps us feel better and make good choices.
- Emphasize that their toolkit is for them to use whenever they feel a big emotion.
use Lenny to create lessons.
No credit card needed
Slide Deck
My Calm Corner Toolkit
What Do You Do When Emotions Get BIG?
Welcome students and introduce the topic of feelings. Ask them to think about what 'big emotions' mean to them.
What Are Big Emotions?
😡 Mad
😠Sad
😟 Worried
😤 Frustrated
How do these feelings make your body feel?
Engage students by asking: 'What are some big emotions you might feel? How do they make your body feel?' Encourage sharing and validate feelings.
Introducing Your Calm Corner
A special place or ideas to help you feel calm again.
It's okay to have big feelings, and it's brave to use your tools to calm down!
Introduce the concept of a 'Calm Corner.' Explain it's a special place or a collection of ideas to help us feel better. Emphasize it's okay to feel big emotions, but it's important to have tools to help ourselves calm down.
Tool #1: Deep Breaths!
Breathe in slowly through your nose... (1, 2, 3)
Hold it... (1)
Breathe out slowly through your mouth... (1, 2, 3, 4)
Try a 'Dragon Breath'!
Model deep breathing. Instruct students to place a hand on their belly and feel it rise and fall. Guide them through 3-5 'dragon breaths' (big inhale, slow exhale like a dragon).
Tool #2: Counting Calmly
When you feel mad, count to 5 or 10.
1... 2... 3... 4... 5...
Counting helps your brain take a break!
Introduce counting as a strategy. Practice counting forward to 5 or 10, then backward. Ask them when counting might be useful (e.g., when they want to yell).
Tool #3: Move Your Body!
Take a walk.
Stretch like a cat.
Do 5 jumping jacks.
Moving helps shake out the wiggles and worries!
Discuss physical activities. Ask students what they like to do to move their bodies. Suggest taking a walk, stretching, or doing jumping jacks. Demonstrate a simple stretch.
Tool #4: Draw or Color
Grab some crayons and paper.
Draw how you feel.
Color a pretty picture.
Art can help your feelings flow out!
Talk about creative expression. Ask students what they like to draw or color. Emphasize that focusing on art can help calm their minds. Show an example of a simple doodle.
Tool #5: Hug a Stuffy
Find your favorite stuffed animal or a soft blanket.
Give it a big squeeze!
Comfort items can give you a cozy feeling.
Introduce hugging a comfort item. Ask if anyone has a favorite stuffed animal or blanket. Explain that these items can offer comfort when feeling upset.
Your Very Own Calm Corner Toolkit!
You get to choose your favorite calming tools.
Create your own toolkit to help you feel better.
What will be in YOUR toolkit?
Explain the project. Hand out the My Calm Corner Project Guide and explain that they will create their own toolkit. Encourage creativity.
You've Got This!
You have amazing tools to help you calm down.
You are in charge of your feelings!
Which tool will you use first?
Review the strategies briefly. Reiterate that they now have many tools to choose from. End with a positive message about being in charge of their feelings.
Activity
Calming Strategies Activity Cards
Cut out these cards and choose your favorite calming strategies to add to your very own My Calm Corner Project Guide!
Card 1: Deep Breaths
What to do: Breathe in slowly through your nose, hold it, and then breathe out slowly through your mouth. Imagine you are blowing out a candle! Do this 3-5 times.
Card 2: Count Calmly
What to do: When you feel a big emotion, try counting to 5 or 10. You can count forward or backward! This helps your brain take a little break.
Card 3: Move Your Body
What to do: Do something active! You can stretch like a cat, do 5 jumping jacks, or take a short walk. Moving your body can help shake out extra energy and worries.
Card 4: Draw or Color
What to do: Grab some crayons, markers, or pencils and a piece of paper. You can draw how you feel, or just draw something fun and colorful. Let your feelings flow out onto the paper.
Card 5: Hug a Stuffy
What to do: Find your favorite stuffed animal or a soft blanket. Give it a big, comforting squeeze. Sometimes a cozy hug from a comfort item can help you feel safe and calm.
Card 6: Drink Water
What to do: Take a few sips of cool water. Drinking water slowly can help your body and mind calm down when you're feeling overwhelmed.
Card 7: Listen to Music
What to do: If you can, put on some quiet, calming music. Close your eyes and just listen to the sounds. Let the music help you relax.
Project Guide
My Calm Corner Project Guide: My Toolkit for Big Emotions!
Objective
To create your own personalized Calm Corner Toolkit to help you remember and use calming strategies when you feel big emotions.
Materials You Will Need
- Construction paper (one sheet)
- Calming Strategies Activity Cards
- Scissors
- Glue stick
- Crayons or markers
Instructions
-
Get Your Paper Ready! Take your sheet of construction paper. This will be your special Calm Corner Toolkit board.
-
Choose Your Tools! Look at the Calming Strategies Activity Cards. Think about which strategies you like the most and which ones you think will help you when you have big feelings.
-
Cut and Glue! Carefully cut out your favorite Calming Strategy Cards. Then, glue them onto your construction paper. You can arrange them however you like!
-
Decorate Your Toolkit! Use your crayons or markers to decorate your Calm Corner Toolkit. You can draw stars, hearts, or anything that makes you feel happy and calm. Write your name on it too!
-
Share Your Toolkit! Be ready to share your special toolkit with the class. Tell us which strategies you chose and why you think they will help you.
What to Think About:
- Where might you use your Calm Corner Toolkit (e.g., at home, in the classroom)?
- Which strategy do you think you will try first when you feel a big emotion?
This toolkit is just for you! Keep it in a special place where you can easily find it when you need to take a moment to calm down.